EV Power Pack Auxiliary Terminals for Emergency Shorting
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Electric vehicles pose unique safety challenges due to high voltage sources, which can present unpredictable fire hazards and unseen voltage risks to occupants, technicians, and rescue responders, as existing safety measures may not adequately address these concerns.
Innovation Solution
An electric vehicle system with an electric power control means that includes a tray with a power pack and auxiliary terminals, allowing for the insertion of a safety enhancement fluid to short and cool the system in emergencies, reducing hazards by creating an electrical connection and facilitating heat transfer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If safety enhancement fluid is inserted to short the electric power system, then voltage hazards are mitigated, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring auxiliary terminals and fluid communication channels within the power pack before any emergency occurs. The tray is designed with integrated fluid channels that automatically connect to auxiliary terminals when safety fluid is inserted, enabling rapid shorting without requiring complex external wiring or manual configuration during the emergency event.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses safety enhancement fluid as an intermediary substance that serves dual purposes: it conducts electricity to short the power system and provides cooling. This intermediary approach simplifies the system by using a single substance to address multiple hazards (electrical and thermal) rather than requiring separate mechanical shorting devices and cooling systems.
2Loss of time
If auxiliary terminals are arranged in fluid communication to enable shorting, then safety response time is reduced, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the fluid cooling system and electrical shorting system into a single integrated structure. The auxiliary terminals are positioned within the fluid communication channels of the tray, so that the same fluid pathway that cools the power cells also provides the conductive path for shorting. This integration eliminates the need for separate alignment mechanisms between fluid channels and electrical terminals.
Solution Approach 2:
The tray structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides structural support, contains fluid for cooling, and houses electrical terminals for shorting. The fluid channels are designed to serve both thermal management and electrical conductivity purposes, reducing the number of separate components and their associated alignment requirements.
3Ease of operation
If the power pack is designed with integrated fluid channels for safety fluid insertion, then ease of operation during emergency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The tray is designed as a multi-functional component that simultaneously provides structural support, thermal management through fluid channels, and electrical shorting capability. This universal design allows a single structure to perform multiple safety functions, reducing the need for separate emergency response mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The system is designed to be self-activating when safety fluid is inserted. The fluid automatically flows through pre-configured channels and contacts auxiliary terminals to create the shorting path, without requiring additional actuators, valves, or control systems. The power pack essentially services itself during the emergency event.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution effectively mitigates voltage hazards and reduces the risk of battery fires and explosions by short-circuiting and cooling the high voltage power sources, enhancing safety for vehicle occupants, technicians, and rescue personnel.
Implementation Method 1
auxiliary terminals arranged in fluid communication with each other within the tray to achieve the electrical connection for shorting as a result of at least partial filling of the tray with a safety enhancement substance
Implementation Method 2
insertion of safety enhancement fluid into the electric power system to short and/or cool the system in the event of an emergency
Data Source
AI summary
Systems, components, and methodologies are provided for electric power storage for electrically-propelled transportation vehicles for operation on roadways. An electric power storage system can include a housing with a compartment that contains a power storage device. The power storage device can include auxiliary terminals having terminal ends electrically connected with electrical power storage cells of the at least one power storage device. The auxiliary terminals can be arranged, apart from the main terminals, for engaging with safety enhancement material delivered to at least partially fill the housing for shorting the terminal ends.